Tuesday 21 June 2016

Another Year Older

I did not blog on the weekend. Its not that I forgot but its just that I did not know what I wanted to say. I needed some time to think it through and decide what to share and what to keep private.

It was a very nice weekend. I got some yard work done!! I actually dug out the dead bush and removed some of the soil that I think was not great and was laden with weeds. I find digging an interesting experience now  so I was proud of myself that I did it. I added some fresh soil but I need to get some more before I plant the new shrub in there


I bought two shrubs and some petunias this weekend. I am not doing as much planting as I usually do, too expensive this year but next year I will be better prepared.

There are petunias in Mom's wash tub and that makes me happy. I hate to see it sitting empty, She used to plant petunias in it so I like to do it too in her honour. I even spray painted the butterfly thing orange for her. 


I really have to work on the lawn, its more weeds than grass at the moment. Its always something


The peonies are blooming like mad across the front of the house and I love them. I wish they were all pink but I have mostly white ones but these ones have hints of pink


This potentilla will get planted in the back flower bed, then next year I will get two miniature lilacs to flank it. My neighbour is cutting down the trees between our properties (they are growing into the power lines) so there will be more sun on that portion of the flower bed. I have more digging and planting and arranging to do back there but I have this year and next to do it.

Friday at No Cook I got to choose where we went for supper, Chinese of course, and then we went for ice cream for my birthday. On Sunday, Teddy Bear took me out for Breakfast for my Birthday, after breakfast we went for coffee then a little shopping, By noon she had me home and she was off to clean out her shed. 

I got my butt in gear and got quilting on the Blarney Night quilt at last. Once this one is finished I am going to do another right away so they have it for next year, not just the promise of one.





I got cards, texts and facebook wishes. All in all it was a good day. Any day I can spend quilting is a good day in my world. I bought my self a couple or three presents which mostly arrived on Monday but hey I accept presents any day of the year




A couple of these things are from Best Friend and Birthday Twin. This is how I love the mail. I would be happy if it was like this more often. Can we all say Needy Baby Greedy Baby ???

So  I am another year older. I have been in my house for ten years this month. I am now the same age my Dad was when he died. I have accomplished somethings and failed at others. This birthday brought o many feels I didn't know what to do with them. I am going to do my best to focus on the good, embrace the blessings and let that which is beyond me to change, go,  because it hurts my heart and I cannot change it. 

Toodles'
Linda


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Sunday 12 June 2016

What to do on a Rainy Sunday???

Well I plan to sew. Once Coronation Street is over I will park my self at the sewing machine and sew. I have cushions to make for a co-workers bistro set, I have a quilt top to finish and a quilt top to start. Lots of projects to do and the rain is a good excuse to get at them.

Yesterday was Parade day in town because of the fair. I ran out and did a quick errand before the parade blocked off my street. I sat on the veranda and listed to a marching band, watched clowns, princesses and a couple of floats float by. The parade starts on my street, so I get a sneak peak.

KitKat and I went to Fabricland and I got some material to finish one quilt and to start another for First Sister-in-Law. KitKat bought the material for me to make runners for her dresser and chest of drawers. Now she has her bedroom painted the old ones don't match. These will be quilted Celtic knot runners. I cannot wait to get them started and show them off. A trip to the fabric store turned into coffee and then Teddy Bear texted us and coffee turned into supper out. I love days like this, where you have plans but happier, more fun plans take over.

Last night was a rather "finish" night. I finished the last baby sweater:


So I can get that delivered to the new owner this week. (I need to find something else to knit now). I finished the owl I was making for Birthday Twin's granddaughter;


I found this silly little guy on Pinterest and then tweaked it to fit the yarn that I had on hand. Birthday Twin is very pleased with it. Its always a relief when the person who asks you to make something is pleased with the end result.  I can wrap it and her Monkey up and get them mailed away.



The wine bottle project is coming along nicely:


12 down and only 116 to go. Before you pass out I am not planning to consume all that wine on my own. I have commissioned my co-workers and friends to recycle their empty wine bottles my way. So excited about this, can't wait to see the end result.

So on this rainy day I shall putter away at my sewing. I may do the odd chore or two and if someone decides that they want to go for coffee or something else, I will go that too. I may plant a plant or two or I may make some tea and sit on the veranda. This is a lovely day and I plan to enjoy it.

Toodles.

Linda

PS.

Two chair cushions finished!!



Sunday 5 June 2016

Duct Tape on My Shoe

Oh Lord, I do wonder at myself some times. First on my list of things to do this pay day is invest in new work shoes. I have a pair of flats that have given me a horrible blister, so I cannot wear them anymore. I cannot mess about with sores on my feet, not these days. I usually wear a pair of black runners that have nice support but the sole has come loose. Every now and then it bends back and I fear it will trip me. Which is why I started to wear the flats.  I have come to think, poverty is the mother of invention and apparently can override any sort of personal pride. I now have duct tape on my shoe. I will forgo a little personal pride to avoid a trip and fall. Friday cannot come fast enough is all I can say! (yes I have tried glue but I do not trust it to hold) The upside is the shoes are black and so is the duct tape. Its not the silver stuff, I do have a smidgen of pride left, people.

I have heard back from Revenue Canada and we are having a difference of opinion on who owes who money. Long story short, I am going to have to file an appeal. This has certainly taught me to triple check everything from now on. One stupid mistake and its has begun a series of unfortunate events that just seems to go on and on and on. Sigh. I just hope it does not take until this time next year to get it all resolved.

I have other things in motion to fix some of the unfortunate events and I have had help to fix others. It just as been an eye opening lesson that has made me do things I had hoped I would not have to do. This adulting malarkey is a pain in the butt sometimes. My greatest hope is that this time the lessons are learned that need to be learned and things will move to normal again. I am once again grateful for the helping hands that seem to be there when I need them. That is enough said about that. I have no desire for this post to become a "woe is poor little me: post.

It was a lovely day today. Just right for veranda sitting and lawn mowing both of these things I did. Once I found the key to the shed. With my darling Mama's voice singing in my head "If you would only put things back where they belong this would not happen" I searched high and low for that stupid little key. Cursing myself for not putting it back right away when I used it last I  finally located said key on the floor in the living room. I must have left it there and one of the cats used it for a play toy.  Once the lawn was mowed today, the key was hung back in the kitchen exactly where it belongs.

I just finished with the lawn and was preparing to tackle the last of the flower beds at the front of the house, when Teddy Bear showed up with a cool drink for me and a coffee for her. She was a very welcome sight I can telly you. We indulged as we sat on the veranda and chatted. It was a most lovely surprise. Drinks consumed she toddled off and I weeded that last bed, leaving only the corner with the dead bush to be dealt with.

I know anyone else could have this all done in  a day but I can't. I putter at it as I am able. There are no rules or laws that says there is a time limit. I will do as I can, when I can, because it is good for me and I need to work at getting myself back to where I was before I got sick. I have had many offers of help but I need to do this on my own and I need to do much more of it.

It was lovely here to day, sunny but cool so I was happy to take advantage of these days. I cannot stand the heat, never could, so these days are precious. They are to be taken advantage of while they last. Next weekend I hope to dig out the dead bush and dig up some more of the back flower bed. If the weather cooperates that is.

I will leave you with this on picture, does this not look the very epitome of sadness? He just looks so forlorn and depressed. Poor baby. He really isn't, he is just seconds away from falling asleep. Silly cat.


Toodles
Linda